The Barn – Our Local Hero
Whilst The Barn, like all venues, has been unable to host its normal array of gatherings, it has been far from inactive. Since The Barn in Westdene was wrestled back into community hands by Friends of Westdene Green some 4 years ago, it has been providing a focal point for local people to come together, and Covid-19 has not got in the way of The Barn providing support network for local people to connect and engage with one another.
If you’re reading this, you will be aware of our street by street, doorstep network of reps who have come together to ensure that we all get to stay linked in, even at a physical distance from each other, we can remain connected.
As coordinator of the Get together to Eat together community lunch, I have been particularly missing The Barn’s hosting of these foodie affairs. As requests came in from various food bank organisers across the city, there’s a particular pleasure in knowing The Barn’s doors remain open to keep the community together around food.
The first team to get up and running are a local group of folk, many of us will have enjoyed eating their delicious Indian cuisine at Westdene green festivities, from Calcutta Kiss. Wearing a number of different hats, they are also responsible for establishing Brighton Cauldron CIC who during Covid lockdown are running a food hub for BAME communities that I went to find out more about
Meeting on the green on a beautiful May Wednesday morning, Sayanti of Brighton Cauldron, was able to watch her two children (Aahan, 7 and Oyeshi, 2), provide background support for the food hub team and chat to me about the project. Delicious. Busy. Relaxed.
How did you come to use the barn as your delivery hub?
We are all local people, our children are at Westdene Primary and we are involved in the various events at The Barn. Rebecca Luff from UnLtd has been instrumental in helping our social enterprise get off the ground, so we feel very attached and at home here at the barn.
What is your role here and how are you managing…??
It is very busy! I have two jobs – a community worker and part of the social care team. I also have my two children to home school, whilst being involved in the BAME food bank… So time management is crucial. I have a background in admin, so I have been responsible for funding applications and backroom work on the project.
I am struck by how relaxed and calm our conversation is given how much Sayanti is actually managing at this moment, let alone when she’s at home or work. It is testament to how we are fed by our community engagement, that by being involved in helping others, helps us to manage our own lives. She is an inspiration.
Can you tell me more about Brighton Cauldron?
Brighton Cauldron supports people from Black Asian and Minority Ethnic groups, and has now incorporated the Refugee community into its auspices, we really do wish to embrace every culture. We are migrants ourselves, so we have a personal interest, as well as knowledge and understanding to bring.
Brighton Cauldron was set up to unlock the potential of migrant women, enabling them to access paid and unpaid work. Having been at home with children, perhaps finding language barriers or unsure of the skills they have to offer, these women’s skills and potential may have been overlooked by themselves! In fact they have valuable knowledge, skills and experience to offer in terms of cooking, management and organisation abilities. We wanted to tap into their resources, providing training, experience and understanding to enable them to find work that makes use of what they have to offer in the wider community.
How did this food bank emerge?
With the Covid-19 standstill, the funding we have received and our preparation for action, needed to find an outlet! As we are largely centred around food and cooking, and realised that there are particular food shortages during this Corona crisis, and we have this funding opportunity, a food bank was the natural solution.
People of ethnic minority may find themselves unable to use the general food bank for all sorts of reasons, many people in this group finding asking for help a real challenge in itself. With language barriers, fears of discrimination and importantly, maybe unable to get the sorts of ingredients they need.
That’s where our personal understanding of migrant needs comes in, in recognising what ingredients are used in these homes, and what ingredients will go to waste. Chickpeas for example are a high priority, used in multiple dishes where in English homes, they may not be used. What has been amazing about organising the food bank for the BAME community is how the different food banks across the city have come together, swapping ingredients that suit different groups, supporting each others’ network with skills, ideas and encouragement.
Obviously with social distancing and the difficulty of people coming to a food bank, we deliver direct to people’s homes. In this way, the intimate connection of a person to person service is made, so that people are reminded that they matter as an individual, not just as a group of people in need.
How do you feel the community has come together as a whole?
That has been incredible. We have a waiting list for volunteers, currently we have 20+ but because of social distancing we need to manage this carefully. People are coming together with the energy and intention to do good, which feels amazing to be a part of. Whilst we are working with our particular BAME community, the opportunity to connect across the race, ethnicity, social divides, sharing best practice in this multicultural, multi dimensional society, is really important for us.
We have just received further funding from Sussex Community Foundation, so we will be able to support more families – we are currently delivering parcels to 22 families, and are hoping to expand as we gather momentum and people hear about our service. As donations have increased, our capacity to incorporate more families and volunteers also grows. It is very exciting to see this happen and to be involved, which helps us all during this challenging time.
This is not charity but cooperation. The emotional capital of exchange, for everyone involved, at either end of the service is the crucial aspect, beyond the food itself. This crisis has brought people together, prepared to go that extra mile to help one another, coming together in mutual support within the context of physical distancing and isolation.
What has it been like setting up the food bank?
We have had a lot of challenges to meet, each day brings something new. As I have been saying, what is amazing, is the spirit of positivity that everyone comes with, ready to get the job, and more, done! Working within the wider community, sharing best practice support and of course venues like the Barn, has been a brilliant learning curve. The receipt of funding and donations of help, enables the project to grow in capacity, deepen its roots and open its arms wider. There have been many lessons learned about how to come together and what the needs are in our community, lessons I really feel will last long after the current crisis has passed.
It was quite something to have this quiet half hour with Sayanti, finding out about the work coming through Brighton Cauldron in support of the BAME community, sitting outside The Barn. Whilst this food bank is aimed at our migrant community, it offers something for us all (and after all, who is not a migrant on some level, at some point?). As we talked about the specific needs of different members of our community, what really came across was a breaking down of barriers that our ethnic differences may suggest. As Sayanti and I think about the importance of food, of helping one another as we watch the children play, we know that what we share is what’s really important here, today.
The Barn has always been about bringing people together, in the spirit of local folk supporting and enjoying spending time with one another. So, whilst gatherings are off the agenda, it is great to know that The Barn is still busy, bringing members across our community together in the common goal of staying connected. Sending out food parcels. Sending out thought, care and support. Inspiring.
Since our conversation in May, lock down rules have relaxed and The Barn is preparing itself to welcome back its regular classes and activities. This will mean the food hub will need to find a new base, maybe somewhere they can grow into. My mouth is already watering at the scope of possibilities this enterprising, energetic and generous team will create. I for one, will be hungrily following their progress and cannot wait to see what gets onto their menu!
Charlotte Hastings June 2020 www.therapykitchen.co.uk
If you’re reading this, you will be aware of our street by street, doorstep network of reps who have come together to ensure that we all get to stay linked in, even at a physical distance from each other, we can remain connected.
As coordinator of the Get together to Eat together community lunch, I have been particularly missing The Barn’s hosting of these foodie affairs. As requests came in from various food bank organisers across the city, there’s a particular pleasure in knowing The Barn’s doors remain open to keep the community together around food.
The first team to get up and running are a local group of folk, many of us will have enjoyed eating their delicious Indian cuisine at Westdene green festivities, from Calcutta Kiss. Wearing a number of different hats, they are also responsible for establishing Brighton Cauldron CIC who during Covid lockdown are running a food hub for BAME communities that I went to find out more about
Meeting on the green on a beautiful May Wednesday morning, Sayanti of Brighton Cauldron, was able to watch her two children (Aahan, 7 and Oyeshi, 2), provide background support for the food hub team and chat to me about the project. Delicious. Busy. Relaxed.
How did you come to use the barn as your delivery hub?
We are all local people, our children are at Westdene Primary and we are involved in the various events at The Barn. Rebecca Luff from UnLtd has been instrumental in helping our social enterprise get off the ground, so we feel very attached and at home here at the barn.
What is your role here and how are you managing…??
It is very busy! I have two jobs – a community worker and part of the social care team. I also have my two children to home school, whilst being involved in the BAME food bank… So time management is crucial. I have a background in admin, so I have been responsible for funding applications and backroom work on the project.
I am struck by how relaxed and calm our conversation is given how much Sayanti is actually managing at this moment, let alone when she’s at home or work. It is testament to how we are fed by our community engagement, that by being involved in helping others, helps us to manage our own lives. She is an inspiration.
Can you tell me more about Brighton Cauldron?
Brighton Cauldron supports people from Black Asian and Minority Ethnic groups, and has now incorporated the Refugee community into its auspices, we really do wish to embrace every culture. We are migrants ourselves, so we have a personal interest, as well as knowledge and understanding to bring.
Brighton Cauldron was set up to unlock the potential of migrant women, enabling them to access paid and unpaid work. Having been at home with children, perhaps finding language barriers or unsure of the skills they have to offer, these women’s skills and potential may have been overlooked by themselves! In fact they have valuable knowledge, skills and experience to offer in terms of cooking, management and organisation abilities. We wanted to tap into their resources, providing training, experience and understanding to enable them to find work that makes use of what they have to offer in the wider community.
How did this food bank emerge?
With the Covid-19 standstill, the funding we have received and our preparation for action, needed to find an outlet! As we are largely centred around food and cooking, and realised that there are particular food shortages during this Corona crisis, and we have this funding opportunity, a food bank was the natural solution.
People of ethnic minority may find themselves unable to use the general food bank for all sorts of reasons, many people in this group finding asking for help a real challenge in itself. With language barriers, fears of discrimination and importantly, maybe unable to get the sorts of ingredients they need.
That’s where our personal understanding of migrant needs comes in, in recognising what ingredients are used in these homes, and what ingredients will go to waste. Chickpeas for example are a high priority, used in multiple dishes where in English homes, they may not be used. What has been amazing about organising the food bank for the BAME community is how the different food banks across the city have come together, swapping ingredients that suit different groups, supporting each others’ network with skills, ideas and encouragement.
Obviously with social distancing and the difficulty of people coming to a food bank, we deliver direct to people’s homes. In this way, the intimate connection of a person to person service is made, so that people are reminded that they matter as an individual, not just as a group of people in need.
How do you feel the community has come together as a whole?
That has been incredible. We have a waiting list for volunteers, currently we have 20+ but because of social distancing we need to manage this carefully. People are coming together with the energy and intention to do good, which feels amazing to be a part of. Whilst we are working with our particular BAME community, the opportunity to connect across the race, ethnicity, social divides, sharing best practice in this multicultural, multi dimensional society, is really important for us.
We have just received further funding from Sussex Community Foundation, so we will be able to support more families – we are currently delivering parcels to 22 families, and are hoping to expand as we gather momentum and people hear about our service. As donations have increased, our capacity to incorporate more families and volunteers also grows. It is very exciting to see this happen and to be involved, which helps us all during this challenging time.
This is not charity but cooperation. The emotional capital of exchange, for everyone involved, at either end of the service is the crucial aspect, beyond the food itself. This crisis has brought people together, prepared to go that extra mile to help one another, coming together in mutual support within the context of physical distancing and isolation.
What has it been like setting up the food bank?
We have had a lot of challenges to meet, each day brings something new. As I have been saying, what is amazing, is the spirit of positivity that everyone comes with, ready to get the job, and more, done! Working within the wider community, sharing best practice support and of course venues like the Barn, has been a brilliant learning curve. The receipt of funding and donations of help, enables the project to grow in capacity, deepen its roots and open its arms wider. There have been many lessons learned about how to come together and what the needs are in our community, lessons I really feel will last long after the current crisis has passed.
It was quite something to have this quiet half hour with Sayanti, finding out about the work coming through Brighton Cauldron in support of the BAME community, sitting outside The Barn. Whilst this food bank is aimed at our migrant community, it offers something for us all (and after all, who is not a migrant on some level, at some point?). As we talked about the specific needs of different members of our community, what really came across was a breaking down of barriers that our ethnic differences may suggest. As Sayanti and I think about the importance of food, of helping one another as we watch the children play, we know that what we share is what’s really important here, today.
The Barn has always been about bringing people together, in the spirit of local folk supporting and enjoying spending time with one another. So, whilst gatherings are off the agenda, it is great to know that The Barn is still busy, bringing members across our community together in the common goal of staying connected. Sending out food parcels. Sending out thought, care and support. Inspiring.
Since our conversation in May, lock down rules have relaxed and The Barn is preparing itself to welcome back its regular classes and activities. This will mean the food hub will need to find a new base, maybe somewhere they can grow into. My mouth is already watering at the scope of possibilities this enterprising, energetic and generous team will create. I for one, will be hungrily following their progress and cannot wait to see what gets onto their menu!
Charlotte Hastings June 2020 www.therapykitchen.co.uk
